Commercially-produced rear wheel skirts

[SCNTN]

Originally Posted by freebeard

For how many weeks? I.E., how many units to break even?

Can you have tooling for multiple part numbers that count toward that total? Point your market machine research tool at thesamba.com. I'd take mine in ABS with a new 'not-the-50s' fender lip.


Heck, with those narrowed front axles, you could make matching front fenders skirts and they'd be screaming "TAKE MY MONEY!"

I haven't been on thesamba in a while. This REALLY makes me miss my bug... '67 with a 1776 DP and the pop-outs. Big pimpin'

[SCNTN]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Sorry, I wouldn't be in the market. I couldn't detect any fe change with or without skirts.

On which vehicle? The F-150 is the #1 selling vehicle in America after all. Proving gains on that sled would really open a big segment of the market!

[rav]

Originally Posted by SCNTN

I see those li'l Fits everywhere. When looking at the garage stats here, we used two criteria: total number of owners per model, and a derived "loyalty" rating based on the number of owners who had updated their fuel log in the past year.

For the Fit, the numbers were low on both points. 44 total owners, and only 10 loyal owners (23%). By comparison, the Civic boasts 546 owners with 196 loyal (36%). And of course, this is why the Civic topped our list.

That isn't to say the Fit won't get a nod, but we'd have to see some demand to make that happen first. And there's the point of this thread. Thanks for the feedback!

While I agree with your reasoning we do have an ecofit section on a fit forum:
2nd Generation GE8 Specific ECO-Fit Discussion Sub-Forum - Unofficial Honda FIT Forums
The reason you don't see many fit owners here is because most are already happy with the gas mileage and most importantly not many know of this site and availability of products to help FE. If i can get a set and show that this works I am sure many more will be interested.

[turbovr41991]

Depending on the finished product and looks, I would likely be interested in the cheaper option.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by SCNTN

I haven't been on thesamba in a while. This REALLY makes me miss my bug... '67 with a 1776 DP and the pop-outs. Big pimpin'

When you get there ask for Everett Barnes. It's his site. I asked him what numbers you could expect, but he didn't want to speculate. What Beetle owners lack in numbers they make up in tenacious commitment.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by SCNTN

On which vehicle? The F-150 is the #1 selling vehicle in America after all. Proving gains on that sled would really open a big segment of the market!

The "Coupe" Tempo.

[SCNTN]

Originally Posted by freebeard

When you get there ask for Everett Barnes. It's his site. I asked him what numbers you could expect, but he didn't want to speculate. What Beetle owners lack in numbers they make up in tenacious commitment.

I'm really surprised there isn't an option out there for type 1's. And IIRC, the fender shape didn't change for about 40 years, just the lights, making a broad year range for one skirt. I have plenty of test subjects from the local VW club here (Mid-South VW (Volkswagen) Club), so that's a viable option.

[freebeard]

Cool! It's all about installed base rather than new sales. And like you say, an under-served market.

I was looking at one odd-ball set on thesamba. Fiberglass with no clamping mechanism. He wanted $100, but wouldn't respond to my emails.

(That's quite the website. Lickable buttons. )

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by SCNTN

On which vehicle? The F-150 is the #1 selling vehicle in America after all. Proving gains on that sled would really open a big segment of the market!

You could partner with "bondo" on here and offer the aero cap and skirts as a package.

-------------------------

I would be very interested in the ABS version. One thing I've been planning was to build some that mimic a Prius or Volt rear bumper. They cleanly detach airflow with a trip line.



If you could do a sort of partial body kit for the rear of a 5th gen Civic hatch I'd be all in. With the way the body curves in on the bottom you could possibly make the skirt and trip into one piece. Assuming you figure out a good attachment method that allows quick removal for tire changes, it could be really great.

For two unpainted skirts I would be willing to pay $80, but for two unpainted skirt/trips like the prius up there, I would do $150.

With the VX models and whatnot I think the Civic would be a smart choice. EG and EK first, then the newer ones.

I would definitely be down to lend my Transportation Design BFA and aero experience to the cause. If you need some nice sketches, renderings, design stuff or anything let me know- I'd be glad to consult and it would be good on the resume.

-Tyler Linner

[SCNTN]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Cool! It's all about installed base rather than new sales. And like you say, an under-served market.

I was looking at one odd-ball set on thesamba. Fiberglass with no clamping mechanism. He wanted $100, but wouldn't respond to my emails.

(That's quite the website. Lickable buttons. )

Oh, they have to be clamped on somehow?? That changes everything!

Yeah I helped with that website around 2001 or so, and it hasn't changed much since. lol